ABOUT THE BAND

CODE RED RIOT originated as a cathartic musical outlet for Corky Gainsford, formerly of the band OTHERWISE (Century Media Records).

“I needed a way to release all the frustrations that had built up after 4 years of touring with a band that didn’t feel like it would ever reach its full potential,” says Corky.“ After 2 full-length albums, an acoustic EP, five Top 20 singles, hundreds of shows, and rocking every major festival in the United States… it felt like the group had lost the cohesive vision, goals, and personalities required to make it all work, and I knew it was time for me to move on.”

Leaving that band was heartbreaking, but there was also an inherent excitement in starting something new. That symbiotic relationship of the struggle between grief and optimism was the creative spark that ignited Code Red Riot, a name that served as a metaphor for the turbulence and commotion that helped fuel the music, combined with the urgency Corky felt to get it to the masses.

Although he was known in the music industry primarily as a drummer, Corky had also worked behind-the-scenes as a producer, songwriter, and recording engineer for over a decade. After sifting through dozens of riffs and melodies he’d written over the years, he decided to focus on crafting a group of hard rock songs that featured anthemic choruses, melodic riffs, and soul-searching lyrics balanced on top of a hard-hitting rhythmic groove. “I play guitar like a drummer, and I drum with the melody in mind,” Corky explains. “When I start writing one element of a song, I always think about how the other instruments will complement each other, and how the song’s unwritten puzzle will eventually fit together before the final product manifests itself.”

Following in the footsteps of Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Sully Erna (Godsmack) and Blake Allison (Devour The Day), Corky knew it was time to make the necessary transition from drummer to frontman. “As the songs took shape, it was clear that I needed to be the individual singing these songs,” Corky clarifies. “The lyrics, specifically, were intimately personal to my own experience, and asking anyone else to front this band would have felt disingenuous and fake.”

In 2017, after posting the band’s early demo of “Living Low” on Facebook, the song was quickly picked up by Sirius/XM Octane and several terrestrial radio stations across the USA, without any record label, promo team, or industry machine pushing the product. The music was unique, and people were responding. “It went over like gangbusters,” proclaimed Frank Pain, Program Director for KEYJ Rock 108. “One listener said, ‘This is the next generation of rock’.”

This response was quickly noticed by Sony RED Music, who signed the band shortly afterwards.

On CODE RED RIOT’s debut album ‘MASK’, Corky played almost all the instruments himself (vocals, drums, bass and rhythm guitar), and recruited a fantastic unknown guitar slinger, named Tyler “Taz” Azure, to round out the album’s lead guitar work. “The songs were fantastic,” Taz explains. “So, I took a chance and moved from Minnesota to Las Vegas to be a part of this band. Great people and great music – you don’t pass up an opportunity like that.”

Unconcerned with the latest media-defined trends and fashions, their music is full of honest and earnest material, filled with heart, soul, blood, guts, angst and relentless passion. Look for CODE RED RIOT’s debut album ‘MASK,’ out now at all digital outlets!

REVIEWS:

September 13, 2018 – New Noise Magazine – Music Video Premiere : “Slide” – “A perfectly honed blend of energetic vocals and motivational riffs that are part Pixies, part Offspring.”

August 10, 2018 – Metal Temple – Mask album review – “I hear ‘MASK’ as a very good album that deserves our attention. Production = 9/10 / Songwriting 10/10.”

August 9, 2018 – LA Music Critic – Mask album review – “Mask is the band’s debut album, and it’s an incredible start to their career. The band has set the bar very high, and delivers a masterful set of dynamic and hard-hitting songs that not just metal fans will enjoy. This one is a treat from start to finish, and a worthy addition to your musical collection. Recommendation: Rush out and Get this one!”

July 31, 2018 – I’m Music Magazine – Mask album review – “Congratulations to Code Red Riot on releasing one hell of a debut album. I felt as though I was behind the wheel of a high octane fueled funny car with the gas pedal slammed to the ground. ‘Mask’ will be a welcome addition to my music collection, and I suggest everyone else do the same.”

July 22, 2018 – Overdrive Music Magazine – Mask album review – “The lead-off track “Panic And Pain” is an adrenaline rush with vigorous riffs, thrashing beats, distinct vocals and a piercing solo opens the record perfectly, jaw-dropping and more than impressive… leaving listeners begging for more.”

July 2, 2018 – Surviving The Golden Age – Mask album review – “It’s impossible not to notice the sheer vivacity throughout each track; the heart pounds quicker, blood begins to boil, and our senses are heightened. Each song is also packed full of lyrical talent, coming in brisk and heavy, a stream of consciousness so honest and rude it erases any doubt of Gainsford’s metal prowess. Mask is the real deal. Code Red Riot is a band with a chip on its shoulder that reminds us that the heart and soul of metal is still alive and well.”

June 27, 2018 – Dangerdog Music Reviews – Mask album review – “Essentially, Corky Gainsford’s Code Red Riot is a fine outlet for his otherwise frustrated musical expression. No pun intended there. If you don’t like where your story is going, then write a new chapter.”

June 20, 2018 – Edge Rock Radio – Mask album review – “Imagine if you will, a lightning bug to the windshield at 125 MPH – that is the impact of this band.”

June 13, 2018 – Front Row Report – Mask album review – “The lead-off track is an adrenaline rush and opens this record perfectly, with the band proclaiming proudly – ‘WE’RE FUCKING HERE.’”